Bridge: December 24, 2012

In a Christmas cartoon, Mary, astride a donkey outside the full-up inn, is giving Joseph a scolding. The caption: "You should have booked on online."

It's easier to make travel plans now than in pre-Internet days, but bridge players still set out on a 13-trick journey without a plan. At today's grand slam, South took the king of diamonds and cashed the A-K of trumps. He next tried to unblock his K-Q of hearts before drawing the last trump, but West ruffed.

CAREFUL PLAY

I have some confirmed reservations about South's play; South must plan in case of foul breaks. He can take the ace of trumps at Trick Two, then the king of hearts. He leads a trump to the ten, discards his queen of hearts on the ace of diamonds and ruffs a heart high.

South next draws trumps with the queen, ruffs a heart, takes the ace of clubs and ruffs a club. He has the rest with good hearts.

Unlucky Louie, Rose, my other club members and I wish for my readers a holiday season of peace and joy.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ Q 10 8 4 ♥ A 9 8 6 5 3 ♦ A 4 ♣ 4. Your partner opens one club, you respond one heart and he raises to three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Slam is quite possible. Your partner has an unbalanced or semi-balanced hand worth about 17 points in support of hearts with four-card support. If he has 3, K Q 4 2, K 6 5, A K 7 6 3, winning 12 tricks will be easy. Cue-bid four diamonds to show your side ace and suggest slam.